When you have an announcer doing the whole "here's Tarasenko with the puck, watch out" with regards to a rookie you know you have a good player.

My favorite was when they said that right as he scored that first goal. Vladi has left me breathless as he gets the puck in the offensive zone multiple times this season, I can't remember the last time someone has made me do that.

Obviously, it's only been 2 games, but I was wondering what everyone's thoughts were regarding who Tarasenko will match up against in terms of point production in the next 2-3 years or even in his prime.

These are the guys I've been eyeballing

Kopitar
Backstrom
Giroux (put up 93 points as a 24 year old but might be a stretch for Tank)
Semin
Hossa
Kane
Gaborik
Eriksson

Anything in that 75 point range could be realistic. I don't expect Malkin, Crosby, Ovechkin, Sedin, or Stamkos numbers at this point.

Hard to say. Those players play in creative and individual systems in the east whereas teams in the west focus more on 2 way play and defense so who knows how many points Stamkos or Taverez would have put up on a team like STL, nashville, phoenix, or LA.

Hard to say. Those players play in creative and individual systems in the east whereas teams in the west focus more on 2 way play and defense so who knows how many points Stamkos or Taverez would have put up on a team like STL, nashville, phoenix, or LA.

Playing in Hitch's system will cause his numbers to be less than they'd be in a "freewheeling offence". I'd judge him more on whether or not he's the go to guy on offence on a Stanley Cup winner and Stanley Cup competitive team year in and year out.

Playing in Hitch's system will cause his numbers to be less than they'd be in a "freewheeling offence". I'd judge him more on whether or not he's the go to guy on offence on a Stanley Cup winner and Stanley Cup competitive team year in and year out.

Yeah, I see it that way too. That being said, I have watched the Rangers and the Flyers play, and they have less structure than teams in the West like the Blues. That's why I think the Blues would crush them if the Blues played them in the finals. Their individual BS wouldn't fly against us or LA.

Yeah, I see it that way too. That being said, I have watched the Rangers and the Flyers play, and they have less structure than teams in the West like the Blues. That's why I think the Blues would crush them if the Blues played them in the finals. Their individual BS wouldn't fly against us or LA.

I agree with this assessment. Hitch's system is a smothering machine when it's running on all cylindars. This season, it will be more effective than last, with the forwards being significantly faster (adding Tarasenko and Schwartz-dropping some age, and having remaining older players play less, and the younger defencemen are more experienced and stronger). And adding Tarasenko and Schwartz and Cole, and having the other young forwards and offensive defenceman continuing to progress in their passing and shooting, the team's offence should be greatly improved (that should also include their shootout performance).

The Blues will almost always get a LOT more shots on goal and scoring chances than their opposition. They also have better overall goaltending than most of the other teams. With all that working for them in most games, they're likely to win a LOT of games.

Well, anything is possible, however I think that's pretty optimistic. I see a lot of Alex Semin in him. Semin gets a bad rap about not playing defense, but I don't think that's really fair. He's certainly not great defensively, but he is competent. That's pretty much where I'd put Tarasenko's defensive game. He's not going to win any Selke's, but it's not a train wreck either. He's always going to be a scorer first, but I think Hitch will get him playing a little better defense by season's end. I think he'll be a 65-75 point scoring winger. Great to have on this team for certain.

I agree with this assessment. Hitch's system is a smothering machine when it's running on all cylindars. This season, it will be more effective than last, with the forwards being significantly faster (adding Tarasenko and Schwartz-dropping some age, and having remaining older players play less, and the younger defencemen are more experienced and stronger). And adding Tarasenko and Schwartz and Cole, and having the other young forwards and offensive defenceman continuing to progress in their passing and shooting, the team's offence should be greatly improved (that should also include their shootout performance).

The Blues will almost always get a LOT more shots on goal and scoring chances than their opposition. They also have better overall goaltending than most of the other teams. With all that working for them in most games, they're likely to win a LOT of games.

No doubt. Love having Frank, Jaden and Ian over Carlo, Arnott and Langs (sorry Langs, but the kids are just faster) Major upgrade IMO.